Android Users Beware!

Posted by Kike, on Mon, 12 Nov 2012 5:41 GMT

Beware Android users, SMS fishing, or "smishing" is on the rise and can affect anyone.

It's no secret that Android Applications are not the safest in terms of the malware they may contain. In addition to the malware, some applications are created with permissions that enable them to access personal information, anything from contacts to utilizing your data at leisure.

Recently, the number of Malware in Android applications has risen dramatically. The latest example of malware is "smishing," which consists of an application being able to access your contact's phone numbers and using those to send out messages asking them to access links or make changes to personal information. The malware then is able to access the new information, which can even range to credit card information or pins, and report it to the creator of the application.

Scary, right?

As usual, there are a few things that you can do to stay safe. Most importantly, all users should be aware of the permissions that applications require. All of these are available before download and are very easy to use. For example, say you are downloading a new wallpaper, and under the permissions you see that the wallpaper needs to access contact information. Why would any wallpaper need to do that?

Play it safe and stay away, or perhaps contact the developer and try to find out why certain permissions are required before you put yourself at risk.

Also, stay away from any applications that do not seem reliable or are fairly new and from unknown developers on the market. If the application is legitimate then it will be known, just as it will be known if the application is a hoax. Patience is key.

Thankfully for all of us it seems that Google is doing something about it. According to recent rumors regarding the upcoming Android 4.2, Google will release a new, safer application store that offers safety features that are on-par with the latest Apple AppStore, a market well known for its safety.

Stick around as we learn more about the safety features that come with Android 4.2, and remember to keep your smartphones safe!